Lahu Democratic Union (LDU)

Founded: January 1st, 1973, 1987, 1997, April 2008

Headquarters: Loilin, Mong Hsat District, Shan State.

Active Region: Loilin, Mong Hsat District, Shan State.

Lahu population: Over 10,000

Size: Unverified

Chairman: Kyar Ja Har

Vice-Chairman (1):

General Secretary: Kyar Solomon

The LDU is an amalgamation of the Lahu Unity Party (LUP) founded in 1973, the Lahu National Organisation, founded in 1987, and the Lahu Democratic Front (LDF) founded in 1997.The Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) participated in the peace process in Myanmar as a member of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), but was not invited to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) because it was not an armed group, according to the U Thein Sein administration. The LDU was only able to sign the NCA on February 13th, 2018 under the NLD-led government and was able to work with the relevant organisations involved in the peace process in Myanmar.

The LDU general secretary has said that the peace process and political dialogue have made mobilizing and uniting the dispersed Lahu people a priority, and that regional development is a priority. The union will continue its efforts until the Lahu people achieve autonomy through the peace process and political dialogue.

Following the February 2021 military coup, the LDU participated in the 6th anniver-sary of the signing of the NCA, led by the SAC, and is working with the PPST.